Hazardous Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Marine Environment

Plastics, including microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), cause havoc in all habitats, including marine environments. The low degradation and impossibility of recovering all the plastic particles have led to the concept of considering plastic as an irreversible threat that could ultimately disrupt earth system processes. Although we have clear-cut information on the primary sources of plastics, secondary sources arising from the degradation of primary sources throw very little light on which particular source has a major contribution. Bioremediation and transformation have advanced technological approaches in addition to prevailing methods, such as incineration, recycling, or landfills, to minimize microplastic pollution. Studies have revealed that polyethylene (PET) is successfully degraded by Brevibacillus borstelensis , Rhodococcus rubber , and Pseudomonas chlororaphis . Pseudomonas putida , Ochrobactrum , and Pseudomonas fluorescens break down the polymer chain of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Studies have shown that, rather than using single microorganisms, the use of consortia isolated from marine habitats will offer greater results in degrading MPs and NPs of marine origin.